Richmond Auto Repair

  Deciding to purchase a certified pre-owned vehicle is a serious decision. With 'fresh-off-the-lot' cars, you don't have to do the research or expect anything less than perfect quality because they're brand new. But with pre-owned vehicles, making an informed decision is crucial to have a reliable mode of transportation. Obtaining a pre-purchase inspection is the most significant way to avoid any headaches. In Virginia, to sell a car, it only needs to have passed the state inspection; but that doesn't mean that there are no issues with the vehicle.   A pre-purchase inspection is a detailed assessment performed by a certified technician who can check all mechanical and cosmetic aspects. During this process, the safety and condition of the vehicle are established and used to inform any future buyer of what may be needed.   Things that are checked during a Pre-Purchase Inspection:   Dashboard - All of the gauges should work prope ... read more

  Every 10,000 miles, your Mercedes service light is going to come on. Your vehicle will indicate if it requires a Service A or Service B scheduled maintenance. Even though the work your car needs may feel cut and dry, it's a little more complicated than that. While both A & B come with an oil change, Service B is considered a 'major' service. And keep in mind that the mileage on your car will also profoundly impact what parts may need to be checked or changed.   Although Mercedes offers guidance for what needs to be replaced for each service type, it doesn’t mean those parts need replacement in your specific vehicle. Bringing your Mercedes to The Shop guarantees a personalized approach to your scheduled service. You should be only getting the service done that your vehicle requires—that way you’re only paying for what you need.   A Unique Approach to Service   Dealerships often work from a list of action items for eac ... read more

We’ve all had the misfortune of meeting a pushy automotive service advisor. Someone who’s not looking out for your best interest, but instead trying to sell you an expensive part that you don’t need. It can feel like a challenge to find a shop that will do quality work, but also offer transparent advice. In the process of finding this balance, it’s important to know who you’re dealing with when it comes to your Automotive Technician and Service Advisor.   Who's behind the hood? By definition, Automotive Technicians are similar to Auto Mechanics. The main thing that sets the two apart is that technicians use the technology in your car to perform diagnostic analysis and then fix the issue. A mechanic’s expertise tends to revolve around the mechanical aspects of your vehicle. These days, vehicles tend to be closer to a computer on wheels, so the technical expertise of a technician can be vit ... read more

For many German luxury car drivers, the first time you might think about your vehicle's tire pressure is on that first cold day of Autumn. Why? That's usually the day when BMW and Mercedes-Benz Tire Pressure Monitoring (TPM) systems alert you to lower than average tire pressure. As the air temperatures drop in the Fall, cold air causes an unusually large drop in tire pressure and triggers your vehicle's diagnostic system.    Does this mean your tires' are actually under-inflated, or is this simply a system glitch?     Well, the simple answer is: check your tire pressure anyway. Driving on improperly inflated tires is unsafe. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, at any given time, about 1/3 of all passenger vehicles on the road are driving on under-inflated tires. In fact, in 2017, it  ... read more

Did you know that U.S. drivers are increasingly becoming distrustful of repair shops? According to AAA’s 2016 survey, 76% of the surveyed individuals cite the recommendation of unnecessary services as a reason they lost confidence in their car care professional; followed by overcharging (73%) and negative past experiences (63%). The good news: this doesn’t have to be you! You treat your performance vehicle as you’d treat any valuable possession, including your own body—with care and diligence. It deserves the best car maintenance and repair to keep it in excellent condition. So how do you find the right performance auto mechanic for the job? Look for these 3 most important characteristics in your performance car care professional. 3. Commitment to Accessibility & Convenience An exceptional auto mechanic truly understands the inconvenience of not being able ... read more

Need a few ideas of things to do around the Richmond, VA area for Christmas? You might like a few of these. And Happy Holidays from all of us here at The Euro Shop. The Tacky Light Tour -- December 7 Billed as one of Richmond’s most famous holiday traditions, the Tacky Light Tour allows you to relax as someone else takes you on a 3-hour tour around some of the best-lit homes of the area. The bus is BYOB.  Friday, December 7, 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM. Other dates are available. $35. Includes snacks. Departs from Target - White Oak, 4521 S. Laburnum Ave, Richmond, VA 23231 Gingerbread House Party -- December 8 A fun event for the kids, this gingerbread house party boasts a pre-assembled gingerbread house with an assortment of building materials to play with. Candy and other edible building materials will be provided. Saturday, December 8, from 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM EST at Crosscreek Nursery, Richmond VA. Maymont Mansion Holiday Tours -- throughout December Maymont Mansion will be ... read more

Is it any wonder we all have an emotional attachment to our cars? After all, we spend a lot of time driving, maintaining, and being around our cars. Sometimes you notice a person’s car before you notice them. And what someone drives often says a lot about a person. The auto repair technicians at The Euro Shop have our favorite vehicles, and we’ll bet you have yours, too!  BMWs What’s not to love about BMWs? When you sit inside one, a BMW is almost like an extension of your own body. You can feel exactly where the car is whether you’re driving down the roads of Richmond or parking. BMWs designs are beyond beautiful, and it’s so easy to fall in love with their performance as well. That’s probably why BMW owners baby their cars so much, give them names, and buy all the newest high-tech gear for them. Another reason we love BMW is their endless variety. There are so many makes and models, and BMW is always coming up with something ... read more

Here at The Euro Shop, we love high-performance automobiles. What we mean by that is that we love fast cars! There’s something about hearing the roar of the engine, feeling the wind in your hair, and being perfectly in tune with an automobile that is beyond rewarding. It makes us happy. And maybe fast cars make you happy, too!  Some of Our Favorite Fast Cars Since we specialize in high-performance cars, and we love Mercedes-Benz, MINIs, and BMWs, we thought we’d focus on those for now. Not only do these three cars go fast, they’re also dynamic machines, engineered to perfection for a smooth ride.  MINI Cooper The MINI Cooper is nowhere near as fast as the BMW or the Mercedes-Benz, but still quite fast. The 2013 MINI Cooper Works GP races from zero to 60 in 6 seconds flat. That kind of acceleration will get you where you need to go on time, and the MINI is just so darn fun to drive!  The Spooky-Fast Mercedes ... read more

September is a busy time around Richmond, with tons of events and festivals you can attend! Here are a few of our favorite festivals.  Flowers After 5: Flowers After 5 is a terrific way to relax at the end of the day. This event has been going on at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden all summer, but there are still two Thursday events left for you to attend. There’s live music, flowers of course, and more! Note that the September 13th event is also a Fidos event, which means that your dog is welcome, too! Stone’s Throw Down in RVA: This festival on September 8 includes independent craft beer with a full day of music! Proceeds benefit the James River Association, Neighborhood Resource Center of Greater Fulton, Virginia Trail Foundation, and Venture Richmond.  Mathews Market Days Festival: This free, two-day event is held the Friday after Labor Day. This yea ... read more

Engines need motor oil, but they need the correct motor oil — one that protects them while operating. Because anything less than that means you’re driving toward serious and expensive repairs.  Motor oil quality in North America has fallen behind engine development, notably with the introduction of Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI) and Turbocharged Gasoline Direct Injection (TGDI) engines. If you own a BMW, MINI or Mercedes vehicles, chances are you have a GDI or TGDI engine. Here’s what The Euro Shop believes you need to know.   Smaller, More Powerful, Turbocharged Engines Are Now the Norm Fifteen years ago, most automakers began shifting engine production to GDI, and more recently, to TGDI powerplants. Both engine types are downsized, but more powerful, more fuel efficient, and exhaust fewer emissions. So why the shift? First, the engines greatly help automakers to meet the challenging 2025 regulatory fuel economy requirement for 54.5 mpg. I ... read more